Not every famous person is sincere about what they think of their peers, for obvious reasons. But some, like Keith Richards, never had a problem being straightforward and giving their real opinion about other artists and bands. Having been in the music business for more than 60 years, The Rolling Stones guitarist witnessed many eras of Rock and Roll, some he liked and others he hated. Over the decades, he has shared his views on many European bands, including U2, the group formed in Ireland by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. Keith Richards’ opinion on U2 and Bono Keith Richards actually likes U2, and he has praised them since the 1980s when the group gained worldwide fame. U2 I like. I like Bono very much. When I worked with him, I’d never heard him. I found the guy very interesting and very open. Then, afterwards, I started listening to them. It’s human music; it’s not pushbutton music. I’ve always liked AC/DC, all right? I like U2; I really do. I think Bono, especially, has something special. INXS I’m quite interested in. I like Tracy Chapman. Ziggy Marley I find very interesting because he’s not just 'the son of'. (Ziggy) avoided being, I hate to say this, Julian. He’s taken from his father and built on it, but he’s not just 'the son of Bob Marley.' He’s got his own things to say, and he’s serious about it," Keith Richards told Rolling Stone in 1988. As The Rolling Stones guitarist said, he had the chance to work with Bono when he and Ronnie Wood helped the Irish musician to record the song "Silver & Gold". The track was part of the Sun City album made by the movement Artists United Against Apartheid in 1985. Besides the two guitarists, the track had Steve Jordan on drums, the musician who replaced Charlie Watts in the Stones. Artists United Against Apartheid was created in that year by the E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt and the producer Arthur Baker. Three years later, in 1988, Keith Richards joined U2 on stage to perform their song "When Love Comes to Town", originally recorded with B.B. King. The special performance happened during the "Smile Jamaica" benefit concert in London. When U2 topped The Rolling Stones as the highest-grossing tour in history https://youtu.be/tOrhtKlXewI When the music business began to change its model due to downloads and streaming services, musicians started earning less from record sales, which forced them to rely more on ticket sales. Nowadays, touring is often the primary way artists can make substantial income, unless they are a superstar like Taylor Swift, with billions of viewers and listeners. With higher ticket prices, tours began to gross more and the numbers have grown bigger every year. In the 2000s, the Rolling Stones were the highest-grossing band in the world from 2005 to 2007. They made a successful tour to promote their album A Bigger Bang (2005). They held the top spot until U2’s 360° Tour (2009–2011) surpassed them, earning nearly 200 million dollars more. When the Irish band surpassed them, he was asked by USA Today how he felt about that. He said he didn't care and they were a good band. “I don’t know and I don’t care. So what? U2 made a few mill more. Or maybe not by the time the gross is done and you look at the net. Meanwhile, (Broadway’s) Spider-Man is going down the tubes. And I don’t think they played to 2 million people in Brazil, which we did (in 2006, the largest rock concert ever).” Keith Richards continued: “U2’s a good band, so why not? I hope another band eclipses both of us. Bono’s an interesting guy. I wouldn’t say he’s my favorite guy to hang with,” Keith Richards said. U2 was formed  in Dublin, Ireland in 1976. They achieved fame in the 80s with the release of classic albums like “War” (1983), “The Unforgettable Fire” (1984) and “The Joshua Tree” (1987). Since they were formed the band never changed its line-up, formed by Bono (Vocals), The Edge (Guitar), Adam Clayton (Bass) and Larry Mullen Jr (Drums - currently not touring). Until 2025 they have released 15 studio albums and sold an estimated amount of more than 175 million records worldwide. It's a bit less than The Rolling Stones, which sold more than 250 million copies all over the world. The Rolling Stones song Bono said saved his life Bono is also a fan of The Rolling Stones and he listed to Rolling Stone magazine in 2020 the 60 songs that saved his life. One of them was "Ruby Tuesday", single written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, featured on their 1967 US edition of the album "Between The Buttons". "The great biographer and critic, Robert Hilburn, used to say that The Rolling Stones made you feel good about who you were on a particular night. (Also) that U2 made you feel good about who was standing next to you. Both of these are such great compliments. To be in the same sentence as you is a great compliment to our band. Ruby Tuesday/Let's Spend the Night Together" was a double A side in the 60s… I love Ruby Tuesday because it felt like a goodbye song. I’m always attracted to songs that find victory in defeat. "Keith, I also like it when I hear your voice behind the words sometimes. Your gentility is always a surprise to people who don’t know you. And you, Mick, have so many sides… and I for one am interested in all of them. (...) That The Rolling Stones exist at all is one of the great encouragements for any teenager who wants to believe they don’t have to grow up ALL THE WAY. Your fan, Bono," he said.The post Keith Richards’ opinion on U2 and Bono appeared first on Rock and Roll Garage.